The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-06-16
Special correspondence Of the Gotd Leaf.

NE" 1ONn, J't44N iS' NV u
The thousands of readers who have
enjoyed the wonderfully clever tale OF
s"That Lass O. Lowres," and more re-
Gently that beautiful child S story "Lit-
tie Lord Fountleroy, have been des-
tined to know but little regarding the
personality of their author. Although
one of the most popular OF our women
writers, her name is seldom encoun-
tered in the newspapers, save IN re-
view of one of her books. She has
persistently refused to give the public
any idea of her methods of work or
history other interesting literary career.
Many staff correspondents and report
ers of leading dailies have endeaVored
to see Mrs. Burnett, but in every IN
stance have failed. l have heard OF
her, read many sketches about her
person, have often severely criticised
her works in my literary reviews, yet,
had never had the good fortune OF
seeing her in person.
While in Washington recently,
learning accidentally that Mrs. Bur
nett was at her home in K. street, l
sent in my card. After waiting a
brief time the rustling of lady's gar
ments were heard on the stairs, and
soon Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett
stood in the doorway. In appearance
the famous author is about five feet
two inches in height, fair complexion,
wavy brown hair, with most percep-
tible auburn tint which Tetlan loved
to picture violet blue eyes, expressive
and beautiful !; a flexible, tender mouth,
and we'll formed counterance. She
is intellectual and interesting, rather
than beautiful. When excited, her
face is strikingly handsome, because
it is expressive of SO much depth CT
feeling and receptivity.
Those who know her we'll say that
in general conversation she is witty
and bright, and shows the reverse of
the earnest, pathetic being her writings
lead one to imagine her. Her hair IS
worn in a coil low on her head, and
the front is cut short and waved loosely.
She is not thin, and her hands "~e
noticeably plump and small. She was
a striking figure, as she stood before
me, in a light plush dress richly orna-
mented about the neck and sleeves
with rare lace. She seems to exhibit
as much artistic taste in her dress as
she does in her literary work. Accord
ing to her invitation l entered the par
lor, a veritable art emporium. The
paintings on the wall, the chaste statues
which looked at me from every nook
and corner; the harmonious blending
of rich colors, all bespoke excellent
taste and refinement After few mo-
ments of general conversation, | asked
Mrs. Burnett if she would tell some
thing about herself and her s,art in
| literature.
"Oh, don't think that would in
terest any one, would it ? she laugh
ingly asked.
Every much, indeed" responded
She laughed pleasantly, and said she
was born in Manchester, England, on
November "a, 1883; where the hrs'
fifteen years of her life were passed
thus acquiring her knowledge Of the
Lancashire dialect and character. AnC
thus she went on: "My father liveC
in houseln Islington square, the bach
ward of which extended to an alley OF
which were the homes Of the working
people. Through the bars of an irol
gate, as little girl, used to watcl
the people go to and from their work
8" was nine years old when frs
saw the face of the young person
afterward idealized as That Lass O
Lowrie's,' working girls from the fac
tory could at that time be known BY
long, coarse apron, which they wore
tied back to prevent their clothing
from catching in machinery, and by :
little shawl worn over the head.
looked from the window one day ant
saw a pale, handsome young girl knit
ting on a gray SOCK pinned to ne
waist. The children about her notice.
gave place to her and obeyed her as
she were their princess. Once after
ward | saw her, when she was driver
by brutal man, with rough word
and uplifted hand, into cabin wher
she lived. The dignified air of tn
girl and her unusual self restraint
never forgot"
"Had you begun to write at thi
time?"
"Yes, began to write at the ag
of 7, and my earliest recollections al
of stories that | made out in my ow
l mind. The dramatic parts of thes
stories | would go over and over